While church building projects cost hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, mistakes don’t just have serious financial consequences. Mistakes in a building program can be very costly, not just in terms of money, but also in the functionality of the finished facility, loss of confidence in leadership, and increased conflict or disunity in the body of Christ.
Stephen Anderson

The head covering of a man

The head covering of a man

Provided by Congregation Roeh Israel (UMJC) of Denver, Colorado. The Head Covering of a Man: Symbol of Reverence The Traditional Garments of the High Priest by Glenn Weaver The subject of men’s head coverings, is shrouded with confusion. In

this brief discussion, I would like to draw your attention to some facts, that will hopefully clarify this subject. It is not my intention to persuade you to wear a head covering, but rather to make you aware of its purpose and basis in Scripture. It is my hope that through this new understanding those whom G*d has led to wear a head covering will not be condemned by fellow believers.

In Christian communities the wearing of a head covering by men, specifically at times of worship, has met with much opposition. The basis for this argument seems to stem from Rabbi Shaul’s (Apostle Paul) letter to the church as Corinth: “Every man that has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God” (Corinthians 11:4,7).

If we look at the facts that prompted the apostle to write these, words, we may gain a new insight.

Corinth, at the time of this epistle, was a melting pot of many nationalities because of the current of trade between Asia and Western Europe which passed through its harbor. The people being addressed here were primarily Greeks, who had the tendency to readily adopt customs of those with whom they came in contact. This they did, however, without necessarily understanding the meaning of the customs they had adopted. One area of influence which they retained from their pagan roots, was immorality, and this subject was the catalyst that prompted Paul to write his first letter to the Corinthian church. Paul’s strong words concerning head coverings were aimed directly at this immorality, specifically effeminacy and homosexuality. The evidence that such behavior existed in the Corinthian church can be found in several places in this first letter. One such example is seen in I Corinthians 6:9: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? So do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, not homosexuals…” Because of the effeminacy and/or homosexuality that existed among some

of those who attended the church at Corinth, and the permissiveness of others who tolerated it, Paul sought to establish guidelines for appropriate dress in worship services.

Historians tell us that Greek men of this time period (about 57 A.D.) dressed, veiled (covered) their heads, and adorned themselves in much the same way as women. The head covering itself probably bore close resemblance to the one still worn by some Muslim women to this day. This is also affirmed by “The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, vol. 2”, which states, “What Paul has in mind here when he speaks of covering the head is a veil which conceals the whole head including the hair.” Paul’s objection to the Corinthian’s manner or dress was no doubt motivated at least in part by Deuteronomy 22:5, which states: “A woman shall not wear a man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.” The fact that Paul was not speaking of the Yarmulke (skull cap; Kepah

in Hebrew) which is worn today is evident since it did not yet exist. If is believed that the Yarmulke (in a less refined form) and the custom of covering one’s head during prayer and worship, originated sometime after the destruction of the second Temple which occurred in 70 A.D. The head covering which came into being at this time was designed similarly to a hat or can and had many different styles and designs. It is not entirely clear why or how this custom began, but it is possible that the Jews of this time were influenced by Roman customs. It was a belief of the Romans that the uncovered head of a man proclaimed freedom and human strength. It is, however, more likely the custom of covering the head, especially during prayer and worship, arose out of reverence of G*d. The word ‘Yarmulke’ which is a supposed abbreviation of ‘Yare me-Elohim’ (G*d above us) suggests that it is worn out of reverence, not as an acquired custom. For Rabbi Honah, a second century Babylonian rabbi, the covering proclaimed, “…that a man is subject to G*d who is above him.”

There is Scriptural support for the wearing of the Yarmulke, and its roots can be traced back to Exodus 28:4,40: “And these are the garments that they shall make; a breastplate and an ephod, and a robe, and a tunic of checked work, a turban (or, miter), and a sash, and they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister as a priest to Me.” “And for Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics; you shall also make sashes for them, and you shall make caps (hats) for them, for glory and beauty.”

In light of these Scriptures, it can be seen that Paul was not making a blanket statement about all head coverings, for by G*d’s own command Aaron and his sons were not to come before Him to minister unless they were properly attired, and part of this dress was the head covering. Obviously Paul, who was a rabbi, was well aware of this portion of Scripture and would not speak out against what G*d Himself had commanded. Scripture clearly shows that Paul was a strict observer of the Law. “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel (a respected rabbi of Paul’s day), strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, as you all are today” (Acts 22:3) “…I (Paul) have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the Temple…” (Acts 25:8) “…brethren, though I (Paul) had done nothing against our people, or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem to the hands of the Romans” (Acts 28:17) In the above Scriptures, Paul testifies that he has done nothing,

whether in word or in deed, against the Law given to Moses, or against the Temple, or even against the customs of the fathers. Obviously, then, he was not speaking against all head covering when he wrote his first letter to the church at Corinth. In light of this understanding, a head covering which is worn out of reverence for G*d, not out of bondage to the Law or custom, should be accepted and those who feel led by Him to wear one should be encouraged, not condemned. I personally have found it a blessing and an honor to wear one, but let each man do as he is led in his own heart.